How Alignment Affects Fuel Efficiency: Saving Money at the Pump
Wheel alignment, an often over looked service, can greatly improve your vehicle’s fuel mileage. A simple alignment check could be the key to saving money on fuel costs. In this article, we’ll explore the ways in which alignment affects fuel efficiency, and when it is time to get your wheels checked.
Three Key Angles for Alignment
When it comes to wheel alignment, three key angles play a crucial role in ensuring your vehicle operates at its best: camber, toe, and caster.
1. Camber
Camber refers to the inward or outward angle of a tire, measured in degrees. A positive camber indicates an outward till and a negative camber indicates an inward tilt. Positive camber can cause the vehicle to pull to the right and lead to excessive wear on the outer edges of the tire. While negative camber can cause the vehicle to pull to the left and result in excessive wear on the inner edges of the tire. The right angle depends on your vehicle but it should ensure the tire and wheel will roll straight.
If your vehicle is consistently pulling to one side or displaying uneven tire wear patterns across the tread, it may be a sign of camber issues.
2. Toe
This refers to the horizontal alignment of the tires, with toe-in indicating an inward-pointing direction and toe-out indicating an outward-pointing direction. Excessive toe-in causes wear on the outer tire edges, while excessive toe-out causes wear on the inner tire edges. The ideal angle is to achieve a zero toe angle, where all four tires will be pointing in the same, forward direction.
3. Caster
Caster refers to the angle of the steering pivot when viewed from the side. A positive caster indicates an outward angle, towards the center of the car while a negative caster indicates an inward angle.
If your car is pulling to one side, it may be a sign of caster issues. Additionally, if you notice heavy steering and your wheels hopping over bumps, it could indicate too much positive caster. While light steering but excessive drifting may suggest too much negative caster.
How Alignment Affects Your Vehicle's Performance
When a tire rolls, it deforms and then rebounds. However, this process is not entirely efficient. Some of the energy used to deform the tire is lost as heat. This energy loss, known as hysteresis, is the main contributor to rolling resistance. By understanding and minimizing hysteresis, drivers can reduce the energy wasted as heat and improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency. One way to tackle hysteresis is through proper wheel alignment, which can help reduce the rolling resistance of your vehicle and promote even tread wear.
Since misaligned wheels increase the rolling resistance, the engine and transmission have to work harder to move the vehicle. Hence, more fuel is consumed due to the vehicle’s extra efforts. By ensuring proper alignment, you can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%, saving you money on gas and reducing your carbon footprint. Moreover, proper alignment also extends the life of your tires, reduces wear and tear on other vehicle components, and enhances overall vehicle safety and performance.
Ideally, your vehicle’s wheels should be perfectly aligned, with all four wheels pointing straight ahead and parallel to each other. This optimal alignment ensures that your vehicle moves smoothly and efficiently, with all four wheels working together in harmony. Additionally, switching to low-rolling resistance tires can further minimize hysteresis, resulting in improved fuel efficiency.
Signs You Need wheel alignment
1. Uneven Tire Wear:
If your tires are wearing down in an uneven pattern, with one side significantly more worn than the other, you may need a wheel alignment. The uneven wear is likely caused by misaligned toed-in front wheels.
2. Off-Center Steering
A steering wheel that is noticeably off-center is likely caused by misalignment, which makes the steering wheel tilt to one side. When your car keeps pulling to the right, even on straight roads, then it is most possibly your front wheels out of alignment, possibly toed-in or toe-out.
3. Vibrations While Driving
Another sign of misalignment is when your car starts shaking and vibrating at high speeds. The vibration is likely a sign that your rear wheels are out of alignment, throwing off your car’s balance.
4. Screeching Tire Noise
If your tires make an unusual screeching sound while turning, this could be a result of uneven tire wear, caused by misaligned front wheels.
One-Stop Solution for Wheel Alignment in Olympia
At Bron’s Automotive in Olympia, our expert technicians with 20+ years of experience understand the importance of proper wheel alignment – and how it can impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. We offer convenient appointment scheduling, competitive pricing, and a promise of exceptional service. Don’t wait – book your wheel alignment appointment today and experience the difference for yourself
At Bron’s Automotive in Olympia, our expert technicians with 20+ years of experience understand the importance of proper wheel alignment – and how it can impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. We offer convenient appointment scheduling, competitive pricing, and a promise of exceptional service. Don’t wait – book your wheel alignment appointment today and experience the difference for yourself
Call Us Now at: (360) 943-5993!